Halloween

Event date Throughout October (Halloween Night: Tuesday, October 31, 2017)

Get spooky in Toronto with these tours, events, screenings and parties that go way beyond the usual. For good ghoulish fun, here are a handful of Halloween happenings.

Scary Attractions

Promenade through the immersive theatrical experience of Legends of Horror at Casa Loma as the audience winds its way through a 1.75 km trail starting in the lower gardens of the castle through the tunnels, turrets and darkest spaces never before open to the public. On the way you’ll encounter the legendary characters of horror brought to life by a multitude of actors. September 29 to October 31, 2017.

Brave your way through horrifying mazes, scare zones and live shows during the Halloween Haunt at Canada's Wonderland. 700 monsters will be prowling the park, looking for YOU. September 30 to October 31, 2017.

The Queen Elizabeth Building in Exhibition Place is turned into a haunted scream park during Screemers. Haunted houses, a wax museum and a Field of Screams all add to the maniacal mayhem. October 6 to 31, 2017.

Grimm Grounds in Brampton is a large scale maze that features theatrical lighting, live scare-actors and chilling sound effects. There are child-friendly experiences as well as the night-time maze. October 27 to 31.

Halloween on Church Street

The “gaybourhood” comes alive on Halloween as Church Street is closed to cars and open to outrageous. Drag queens, costumed revellers, and those who love them, all gather for the second biggest night of the year on the LGBT calendar (next to Pride). More info: Church-Wellesley Village website. October 31, 2017.

Take a Spine-Tingling Tour

The Haunted Walk offers a variety of tours exploring different legendary haunted sites including some of Toronto’s best ghost stories. Or try a Fact or Fiction Ghost Tour with the Tour Guys and get insight into what ghost investigators deal with when looking into reported hauntings as well as some of the natural phenomena that is mistaken for the paranormal.

Art and Film

What better time than Halloween to get this rare glimpse into the world of renowned filmmaker Guillermo del Toro? At Home With Monsters at the AGO reveals del Toro’s creative process through his personal collection of art, artefacts and props culled from Bleak House, his creative haven in Los Angeles. September 30 to January 7, 2018.

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival showcases thrilling new sci-fi, horror, action and cult films all in one downtown location. Attendees can also look forward to lively Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, the popular Zombie Themed Night and Pub After Dark, the festival’s nightly after-screening social event where fans get to mingle with filmmakers and other guests. October 12 to 20, 2017.

Halloween wouldn’t be complete without screenings of the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Hot Docs Theatre. Bonus: the Shadow Cast who will be performing their own satirical, comedic version of the film for audiences during the show. Do the Time Warp again September 29 and October 27, 28 and 31.